GOULD, GEORGE (1823-89) was born at Hambleden, Oxfordshire. His parents gave him a sound education and an apprenticeship in commerce. Early in 1850 he married Hannah Lewis, and on 14 Jul they sailed in the barque Camilla, arriving in Wellington on 12 Dec. Having selected his section at the corner of Armagh and Colombo streets, Gould erected a building as a dwelling and general store. The facilities for transport from the port were primitive, and he often carried merchandise either over the bridle path or from the landing at Ferrymead. In 1855 Gould took Grosvenor Miles into partnership, and the business, under the style of Gould and Miles, was moved to premises in Colombo street. Owing to the insufficiency of silver currency in circulation, cardboard counters were improvised bearing the legend 'I.O.U. Gould and Miles.' Having the agency for Cookham boots, Gould in 1866 opened Cookham House as general outfitters on the opposite side of the street. He was now deeply engaged as a squatters' agent in Canterbury and a large shipper of wool to England. He also established a chemist's business as Gould and Co., which continued for years after he had retired. About 1875 he sold the retail business to his managers (Chisnall and Stewart taking over Cookham House), and devoted himself to the financial and export business. He had started with very little capital, but in less than 20 years he had amassed a considerable fortune. This he invested largely in city, suburban and country lands. During a wool slump several Mackenzie country stations fell into his hands, but he held them only until he could find a sale. In 1869, the Springfield estate, of about 16,000 acres in the Methven district, was offered for sale by Hill and Bray. Gould advertised for a manager, and appointed Duncan Cameron, thus establishing a long partnership which yielded a large fortune to Cameron, who after Gould's death bought the estate out for £65,000. Gould had a farm of 100 acres at the top of Colombo street, 250 acres on the Lincoln road (the site of Mount Magdala), and 1,000 acres at Springston. He imported shorthorns and Lincoln sheep from England, and in the sixties was a frequent prize-winner at the Canterbury shows.

Though debarred from public life by extreme deafness, Gould associated himself with nearly every movement for the advancement of the city. He was the second president of the Agricultural and Pastoral association (1869-74). He was president of the poultry association, the Union Rowing Club, and the horticultural society. He was an original shareholder and a director of the Christchurch Gas Co., the New Zealand Shipping Co., and many others. He was a member of the first Christchurch town board (1862); a commissioner of the domain board and of the board of education, and a governor of Canterbury College. He took a part in promoting building societies and insurance companies, and financially assisted many struggling clubs and societies. He advanced £1,000 in furtherance of a promise to subsidise pound for pound all public donations made to the funds of the Agricultural and Pastoral association.

Many pieces in the fine collection of statuary and pictures in the museum were presented by Gould, and the Y.M.C.A. and Working Men's Clubs received many gifts of money and books. Gould died on 28 Mar 1889.

Cycl. N.Z., iii (p); Acland; Lyttelton Times, 17 Apr 1889; The Press, 29 Mar 1889, 25 Oct 1900 (p).

Reference: Volume 1, page 173

🌳 Further sources